By Sheila Corson
The Chronicle

     OKANOGAN - The Okanogan County Horticultural Association elected new officers and discussed problems, both present and future, facing local farmers at the Jan. 26 annual meeting.
     In the business portion of the meeting, Curt Guelich was re-named the Omak board member for the Washington Growers Clearing House.
     Alton Leatherman and Brent VanBuskirk were unanimously named chairman and vice chairmen, respectively, of the county association.
     Workshops covered topics from pesticides to thinning to marketing.
Incentive programs
     Robert Koch, a biologist and pest management specialist for Natural Resources Conservation Service, told a crowd of dozens about incentive programs for conservation.
     The Environmental Quality Incentive Program provides technical and financial help to farmers who want nutrient management, beneficial habitat, pesticide storage and mixing areas or integrated pest management plans.
     All of contribute to environmental concerns while also helping the farmer, Koch said.
     There are also other incentive programs through the NRCS, www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.
New pests
     Farmers were warned about pests that could be coming to the area. Mike Doerr from the Washington State University Extension Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Wenatchee, said the next big pest is the spotted wing Drosophila, which could be the worst pest in the world.
     The insect wreaks havoc on thin-skinned fruit, laying hundreds of eggs in its seven-day life cycle. It attacks the fruit while it is still healthy on the tree, and can deposit dozens of eggs in a single fruit, Doerr said.
     It had not been documented anywhere in 2008, but already has caused huge losses in cherries and berries on the West Coast, surviving with a temperature threshold of 10-86 degrees.
     Doerr said more extreme temperatures in North Central Washington could kill the pest before it could become a problem.
     Another pest to watch for is the brown marmorated stink bug, which is causing problems in Portland, Ore. Doerr said they move in huge masses into homes or walls, and feed on tree fruit.
     The bug can live its entire life on a fruit tree, making it hard to draw away to kill, he said.
     The center has many tools to help farmers who encountered pest problems, Doerr said. He asked that they all keep an eye open for new bugs invading crops and keep his office posted at 509-663-8181.
Marketing
     Concerns about the tree fruit industry and marketing opportunities were addressed by Mac Riggan of Chelan Fresh Marketing.
     For the first time, apples tied bananas for top fruit sales in 2009, with 81 percent of consumers purchasing apples, Riggan said. The year also set records in exports with 10.3 million cases of apples.
     Cherries had a tough year after the crop size doubled from 2008 and the industry wasn't ready to take on the volume, Riggan said. The Washington Cherry Commission is looking into ways for better marketing to consumers, possibly including displays and demonstrations in grocery stores.
     Pears are doing well, with more retailers selling the fruit pre-ripened and attracting more customers, Riggan said.
     Horticulture association Secretary Dan McCarthy said 193 people paid their $10 dues and admission for the meeting. About 30 booths were set up.
     Workshops kept people coming in and were well-received, McCarthy said.